The weight of the elders' gazes lingered long after their words faded into the air. Yuto stood before them, the overwhelming sense that his very existence was being scrutinized filling every inch of the grand hall. His hands, still pulsing with the strange energy from his battle with the Flame Tiger, clenched at his sides. He had expected answers, but now it seemed that even these powerful beings wanted him to prove himself.
The silver-haired elder, who had spoken first, gestured toward a large set of double doors at the back of the hall. "Follow us. The testing grounds await."
Yuto nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. What kind of test would they require of him? After everything that had happened so far, he wasn't sure what to expect anymore. One moment he was a confused stranger in a strange world, the next, he was engaging in battle with a Spirit Beast that should have torn him apart. And now, he was facing something even more dangerous—the scrutiny of those who controlled the very forces of this world.
The doors opened with a soft creak, revealing a vast arena. It was unlike anything Yuto had ever seen, even in his wildest imagination. The ground was made of polished stone, etched with intricate runes that shimmered faintly in the dim light. Tall, obsidian pillars lined the edges of the arena, each adorned with glowing gemstones that pulsed with power. The air was thick with Qi, a tangible force that swirled like a storm waiting to be unleashed.
"This is the Testing Grounds," the white-bearded elder said, his voice low and serious. "Here, you will face trials meant to gauge your strength, adaptability, and resolve. Only those who prove worthy may ascend within the Golden Dragon Sect."
Yuto felt his stomach tighten. The pressure of the moment was overwhelming, and yet, a strange thrill coursed through his veins. This was his chance. If he could pass this test, perhaps he could finally begin to understand what had happened to him and why he was in this world.
"Are you ready?" the silver-haired elder asked, her piercing blue eyes locked onto him.
Yuto took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm ready."
With that, the elders stepped back, and the ground beneath Yuto's feet shifted. The runes on the floor flared to life, casting a brilliant glow that filled the arena. The air hummed with power, and Yuto instinctively tensed, his body reacting to the rising energy.
Suddenly, the ground cracked open, and from the chasm that formed, a massive creature emerged. Yuto's eyes widened in surprise. It was a serpent-like beast, its scales shimmering like black steel, and its eyes glowed with a ferocious intelligence. It hissed, the sound echoing through the arena, and its enormous body coiled and uncoiled with terrifying speed.
"This is the first test," the white-bearded elder's voice rang out. "Defeat the serpent, and you will have passed the first trial."
Yuto's heart pounded. The creature in front of him was no ordinary beast. Its aura was thick with Qi, and its movements were impossibly fast, as though it existed between moments, blurring in and out of time itself. He could sense the raw power emanating from it, and a small voice in the back of his mind told him that this creature was far beyond anything he had faced before.
The serpent lunged, its massive fangs glinting with venom as it aimed for Yuto's throat. Without thinking, he reacted, his body moving on instinct. His legs propelled him sideways, just barely avoiding the creature's deadly strike. He had no time to think—only to act.
The serpent hissed in frustration and whipped its tail around, aiming to strike him from behind. Yuto dodged again, the air around him thick with the speed of the attack. His senses were on high alert now, every fiber of his being tuned to the battle in front of him.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Yuto felt a sense of control. The strange power within him surged again, and he could feel the raw energy coursing through his veins. This wasn't just brute strength—it was a connection to something primal, something ancient.
He focused, channeling the power in his body, and with a sudden burst of speed, he leaped toward the serpent's head. His fists were engulfed in blue energy, the force crackling as it collided with the serpent's skull. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, causing the beast to stagger back, its glowing eyes wide with surprise.
Yuto landed lightly on the ground, the energy around him humming with intensity. He could feel the power growing inside of him, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if he could control it. But there was no time for doubts.
The serpent hissed again, now enraged, and lunged at him with blinding speed. This time, Yuto didn't hesitate. He raised his hand, concentrating all of his energy into a single, focused strike.
A beam of light erupted from his palm, a concentrated blast of raw power that collided with the serpent's chest. The impact was explosive, and the creature screamed in pain as the beam tore through its scales. For a moment, the serpent seemed suspended in midair, its body writhing in agony, before it collapsed to the ground, its body twitching one final time before going still.
The arena fell silent. Yuto stood, panting heavily, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. His body felt drained, the weight of the battle heavy in his limbs, but the rush of triumph overshadowed everything else.
He had done it.
The silver-haired elder stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "You have passed the first trial," she said. "But there are more to come. Prepare yourself."
Yuto nodded, his heart still pounding with adrenaline. He was still trying to process everything that had just happened. The battle had been intense, and the power he had tapped into felt both familiar and foreign at the same time. What was this strange force that surged within him? And why did it feel like he had only scratched the surface of what he was capable of?
Before he could ask more questions, the ground trembled once more. A second trial was beginning.
From the same chasm where the serpent had emerged, a second creature appeared. This time, it was a massive, hulking creature with the body of a lion and the wings of a dragon. Its roar shook the air, and its fiery breath sent plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
"Do you have what it takes to defeat this beast?" the silver-haired elder asked, her eyes narrowing as she observed Yuto's reaction.
Yuto felt a chill run down his spine, but he refused to back down. "I'll face it. I have no choice."